Download Fragment

Wednesday, 13 December 1911

Mr TUDOR (Yarra) (Minister of Trade and Customs) (5:45 AM) . - I trust that the Committee will notagree to the suggestion of the honorable member for Parramatta. These are the duties which were fixed by the last Tariff - 6s. per cwt., or 20 per cent. under the General Tariff, and 6s. per cwt., or 15 per cent., from the United Kingdom. The amendment is proposed because importers have endeavoured to bring these articles in as dry colours at a lower rate of duty than would be payable upon them if ground in liquid and prepared for use. It is not proposed to alter the duties, but to alter the wording of the item, so as to give effect beyond doubt to the intention of Parliament in passing the last Tariff. The importations of these articles for 1906 were valued at £47,000, and in 1910 at £60,000.

Mr Joseph Cook - I shall not press the amendment.

Mr TUDOR - Underthe existing Tariff there is a duty of 2s. per cwt. on barytes, and it is now proposed that barytes crude shall be dutiable at 2s. per cwt., and barytes ground at 3s. per cwt. There are workable deposits of barytes in the Commonwealth, and their development should be assisted. Barytes at present are imported chiefly from Germany, ready ground for use. There is no reason why barytes crude and ground should be dutiable at the same rate. Barytes deposits are being worked at the present time in New South Wales, near Cooma, and in the neighbourhood of the Federal Capital.

Mr Joseph Cook - What are two rates proposed for?

Mr TUDOR - It is proposed to impose a duty of 3s. per cwt. on barytes ground, with a view to having thegrinding done here.

---